Wigan manager Steve Bruce believes Emile Heskey may risk missing out on playing for England at the next World Cup if he moves to one of the top clubs in the Premier League.

Heskey has admitted he would be tempted by a return to his former club
Liverpool next summer, when his contract at Wigan is due to expire.

The 30-year-old has returned to favour in the England set-up under Fabio
Capello, and is developing a strong partnership with Wayne Rooney.

But Bruce, who hopes Heskey will agree to a contract extension with the Latics,
suspects Heskey would not play as many matches and have the same opportunities
to impress Capello if he chooses to move on at the end of this season.

Bruce said: "If he goes to Liverpool or wherever, is he going to play week-in,
week-out?

"The big thing Emile will have on his mind is to be in condition in 18 months
to go to the World Cup. Why not stay here and do that?''

Bruce added: "I don't think you can be at your best if you are not playing
every week. That is the conversation I will be having with him. I haven't given
up hope of keeping him here and neither has the chairman.''

Heskey was a £5.5million signing by Wigan in 2006, joining from relegated
Birmingham who had tempted him away from Liverpool two years earlier.